Arts & Mysteries: Rumplestiltskin is My Name

Ever-increasing numbers of woodworkers are using hand planes in their shops. Their demand for fine planes has given rise to boutique plane makers such as Clark & Williams, Lie-Nielsen Toolworks, Veritas and Shepherd Tool Co. to name a few.

These users’ interest has given rise to another industry, no less substantial than the plane manufacturers: The opinionated and self-righteous wood plane experts! These dreaded, self-proclaimed experts offer their opinions in books, DVDs and yes – you guessed it – magazine articles. They offer gems in dribs and drabs, promising that (with their help, of course) you can magically turn any roughsawn surface into wood as smooth as gold.